● Buddhist · Philosophy
Zen / Chan
ध्यान
The school that transmits awakening directly, beyond words and scripture
Zen (Japanese) / Chan (Chinese) / Seon (Korean) is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasises direct experience over doctrinal study. It traces its origin to the Indian monk Bodhidharma who brought dhyana (meditation) practice to China c. 520 CE. Zen is famous for koans (paradoxical questions that break rational thought), the tea ceremony as meditation, Zen gardens, and the radical idea that enlightenment can happen in an instant. D.T. Suzuki introduced it to the West; Alan Watts popularised it further.
Chan BuddhismZen BuddhismDhyanaSeon
See it as a constellationTap connections to travel, one hop at a timeExplore further
A 60-second practice
For exactly 60 seconds: do nothing. Not even 'meditate'. Just stop. Don't optimise. Don't plan. If you find that impossible, notice why. That noticing is a koan.
Zazen (Zen sitting): traditionally at 4am and dusk.
Keep this offering free
MyBrahman is free and ad-free for everyone. If it has given you something, dāna keeps the lamp lit.
Educational purposes only. Compiled from general reference sources and not reviewed by any religious authority. No disrespect is intended to any deity, tradition, scripture or community. For authoritative guidance, consult qualified scholars and primary texts.